Major funding boost for the next generation of arts and humanities researchers

Posted on 16/12/2013

A consortium led by Royal Holloway has been awarded a grant of £13.5 million to fund approximately 176 postgraduate students, in order to address the national need for highly skilled researchers in disciplines across the arts and humanities.

Funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), the new Doctoral Training Partnership will bring together seven universities across London and the South-East, allowing students to benefit from diverse training opportunities and expertise from all members. This will include Royal Holloway, the University of Brighton, Kingston University, the University of Roehampton, the Royal College of Art, the University of Surrey and the University of the Arts London.

This unique training opportunity will also be enhanced by placements and partnerships with 13 arts and cultural organisations, including the Barbican, the Natural History Museum, the British Film Institute, the Science Museum and the Museum of London.

“We are very excited about leading this consortium and developing researchers who are at the forefront of their disciplines”, said Professor Katie Normington, Dean of Arts and Social Science at Royal Holloway. “Our consortium draws its name, TECHNE, from the art of craft. Underpinning our innovative interdisciplinary student training will be the development of the craft and skill of the researcher.”

The consortium was praised by the AHRC’s award panel for having robust partnerships with a focus on providing future opportunities for students, as well as tailored training and support in subjects such as music, modern languages and history.

David Willetts, Minister for Universities and Science, said: “The AHRC is creating more opportunities for the next generation of researchers, both within and beyond academia in the thriving arts and humanities sector. I'm particularly pleased to see an emphasis on student placements and additional skills training among the new arrangements.”

Professor Mark Llewellyn, Director of Research for the AHRC, said: “This investment by the AHRC will not only support university researchers but also enrich the contexts in which arts and humanities skills and capabilities engage with and contribute to advancement and growth in sectors across the wider UK economy.”